"Reise, Reise" is the fourth studio album by German Neue Deutsche Härte band Rammstein. It was first released on 27 September 2004 throughout Europe and followed in the United States on 16 November 2004. Its cover art is a modified version of a 1936 Hugo Eckener photo taken for the Herald Tribune of the Hindenburg disaster.
Following a long stretch of concerts, Rammstein was staring at a rather significant sabbatical and not without reason. After a lengthy music world tour, starting in the spring of 2000 and ending in January of 2003, the band's members began their various solo projects which included a break period.
"Reise, Reise" is essentially a collection of songs that have been inspired by the band's travels, underlining their love of adventure and their professional touring lives. The music, a blend of techno and metal, is known for its heavy guitar riffs, intricate rhythms, and powerful vocals by lead singer, Till Lindemann.
This album has received highly positive reviews from music critics, as Rammstein upgraded their sound quality while remaining true to their initial musical and thematic approach. It peaked at number one in several countries, including Germany, Austria, and Finland while achieving multi-platinum certifications in various regions.
The album's lead single, "Mein Teil", attracted controversy in Germany as it was inspired by the case of Armin Meiwes, a man who notoriously advertised online for someone to volunteer to be slaughtered and eaten. Despite the controversy or maybe in part because of it, the album became a commercial success worldwide.
Its other singles including "Amerika", "Ohne Dich" and "Keine Lust" also contributed to its popularity, making it one of the significant turning points in the band's career. One very distinctive factor to this album is how it presents a wider range of atmospheres and moods compared to their previous works, showcasing both incredibly heavy and more melodic songs.
One characteristic of the album is Rammstein's use of a broader range of musical styles and tones, fleshing out their heavy metal with electronically synthesized and orchestrated textures. The usage of children's choirs and maritime accordion sounds in the title track "Reise, Reise" and military drumbeats in "Mein Teil" are examples of this.
Despite the increased variation in tone, the album employs the band's trademark sound, combining Till Lindemann's booming, colloquial lyrics with industrial metal. Throughout the album, dark themes of tragedy and calamity continue to be utilized, invoking an atmosphere of quiet melancholy.
Overall, "Reise, Reise" is a landmark release in the discography of Rammstein, establishing their presence on the international stage even stronger.
